About Diocese of Helena
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena (Latin: Dioecesis Helenensis) is a Latin Church diocese covering 51,922 square miles of western and north-central Montana. Erected on March 7, 1884, from the earlier Apostolic Vicariate of Montana, it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and is pastored today by its 11th bishop, Most Reverend Austin A. Vetter. Its 57 parishes and 37 missions are organized into six deaneries, and its mother church is the historic Cathedral of Saint Helena in the state capital.
- Bishop
- Austin Anthony Vetter
- Established
- 1884
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Helena
- Territory
- Western and north-central Montana: Lewis and Clark, Teton, Flathead, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders, Powell, Granite, Ravalli, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Broadwater, Gallatin, Madison, Lake, and Beaverhead Counties, plus parts of Meagher, Musselshell, and Toole Counties.
- Parishes
- 57 parishes and 37 missions
- Province
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
About the Diocese of Helena
The Diocese of Helena serves the western and north-central third of Montana — 51,922 square miles organized into six deaneries (Bozeman, Butte, Conrad, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula) with 57 parishes, 37 missions, six elementary schools, three high schools, and one college. Its diocesan church is the Cathedral of Saint Helena, dedicated in 1914 in the state capital. The Chancery of the Diocese of Helena is located at 630 N. Last Chance Gulch, P.O. Box 1729, Helena, MT 59624-1729; phone (406) 442-5820. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, and the province belongs to USCCB Region XII (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington).
- 57 parishes and 37 missions
- 6 deaneries: Bozeman, Butte, Conrad, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula
- 6 elementary schools, 3 high schools, 1 college (Carroll College)
- 48,291 registered Catholics; 16,097 registered households
- 1,857 children and youth enrolled in religious education
- 61 priests total (58 diocesan, plus Jesuits, Benedictines, and Opus Spiritus Sancti)
- 12 seminarians in formation
- 34 permanent deacons (19 active, 16 senior status)
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Office of the Bishop
The Most Reverend Austin A. Vetter serves as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Helena. His office oversees the ministries, activities, and programs that fulfill the bishop's duty to provide for the sacramental needs of the faithful. The Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Ray Shipman, and the Priest Assistant to the Bishop, Father Bart Tolleson, aid the bishop in the day-to-day operation of the Chancery, prepare reports for the local, national, and international Church, coordinate services for seminarians and religious, and plan retreats and presbyteral gatherings.
- Bishop Austin A. Vetter — ordained and installed November 20, 2019
- Ray Shipman — Executive Assistant to the Bishop
- Father Bart Tolleson — Priest Assistant to the Bishop
- Phone: 406-442-5820
History of the Diocese
The diocese was established on March 7, 1884, replacing the Apostolic Vicariate of Montana erected by Pope Leo XIII in April 1883. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Brondel of Vancouver Island was its first ordinary. Its present boundaries were set on May 18, 1904, when the Diocese of Great Falls was formed from the eastern portion of the state. Eleven bishops have now served the see; six went on to larger assignments elsewhere, including two future Archbishops of Seattle (Hunthausen and Brunett) and an Archbishop of Omaha (Curtiss). In January 2014 the diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in connection with a roughly $15 million settlement for victims of clergy sexual abuse.
- Erected March 7, 1884, from the Vicariate Apostolic of Montana
- Boundaries fixed May 18, 1904, by the erection of the Diocese of Great Falls
- 11 bishops in succession since 1884
- 2014 Chapter 11 filing as part of abuse settlement
Diocese of Great Falls–Billings (the 1904 split)
On May 18, 1904, Pope Pius X erected the Diocese of Great Falls from the eastern counties of Helena's territory. The see was later renamed the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings and is co-laborer with Helena in several ministries, including the Tribunal and Catholic Social Services of Montana.
Parishes & Missions
The diocese's 57 parishes and 37 missions are organized into six deaneries: Bozeman, Butte, Conrad, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. The diocesan parishes page lists communities such as Anaconda Catholic Community, Blessed Trinity (Missoula), Butte Catholic Community North, Catholic Community (Helena), and Our Lady of the Valley (Helena), along with the Cathedral of Saint Helena and Carroll College.
- Cathedral of Saint Helena (Helena)
- Anaconda Catholic Community
- Blessed Trinity (Missoula)
- Butte Catholic Community North
- Catholic Community (Helena)
- Our Lady of the Valley (Helena)
Cathedral of Saint Helena
The Cathedral of Saint Helena, dedicated in 1914 and consecrated in 1924, is the mother church of the diocese. Architect A.O. Von Herbulis modeled it after the Votivkirche in Vienna. Bishop John Patrick Carroll spearheaded the fundraising; the project was financed in part by a $25,000 donation from Helena benefactor Thomas Cruse. The cathedral suffered major damage in the 1935 Helena earthquake — the south tower was nearly destroyed — and was rebuilt and reinforced by 1938. The cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Major renovations followed under Bishop Curtiss (1982–1983, post-Vatican II liturgical reform) and a 2002-onward restoration under Bishops Morlino and Thomas, which remodeled the lower level (named for Bishop Brondel), the sanctuary, Saint Joseph's Chapel, and a new baptistry.
- Cornerstone laid October 4, 1908; first Mass November 8, 1914
- Consecrated June 1924; total cost about $645,000
- 1935 Helena earthquake — south tower nearly destroyed, rebuilt by 1938
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980
- 1982–1983 Curtiss renovation implementing Vatican II reforms
- 2002–present major interior restoration (Brondel Hall, new baptistry, elevator)
Cathedral Mass, Confession, and Adoration Schedule
The Cathedral of Saint Helena publishes its schedule on the diocesan parishes page. Devotions include a daily Rosary for Vocations and weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Sunday Mass: regular weekend schedule (see parish page)
- Weekday Mass: 7:00 a.m. and noon
- Saturday Mass: 9:00 a.m.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotion: Tuesday following 7 a.m. and noon Masses
- Rosary for Vocations: Monday–Friday following 7:00 a.m. Mass; Saturday 8:30 a.m.
- Reconciliation: Saturday following the 9:00 a.m. Mass until 11:00 a.m., or by appointment
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Fridays following the 7:00 a.m. Mass until noon; Saturday following the 9:00 a.m. Mass until noon; one Tuesday evening per month 7:00–8:15 p.m.
Catholic Schools
Catholic education in the Diocese of Helena is overseen by the Bishop's Representative for Catholic Schools, Matthew Brower, with the diocesan Catholic Education Office and a Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) commissioner. The system includes Carroll College, six elementary schools, and three high schools, serving about 1,148 children in diocesan schools.
- Bishop's Representative: Matthew Brower
- WCEA Commissioner: Christina Vierra McGill
- De La Salle Blackfeet School (Browning, MT) — Lasallian San Miguel school, 13th in the U.S., first serving a primarily Native American population in a rural setting
- Carroll College (Helena) — diocesan college, ~1,210 students
- 6 elementary schools; 3 high schools
- 1,148 children enrolled in diocesan schools
Carroll College
Carroll College was founded in 1909 by Bishop John Patrick Carroll as Mount St. Charles College — named for St. Charles Borromeo, who at the Council of Trent first proposed diocesan colleges. The name was changed to Carroll College in 1932 in honor of its founder. Today the Bishop of Helena serves as Co-President. The Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice coordinates Service Saturdays that have logged more than 1,500 hours of service in Helena since 2013; theology faculty also teach in the diocesan Pastoral Ministry Program.
- Founded 1909 as Mount St. Charles College
- Renamed Carroll College in 1932 in honor of Bishop John P. Carroll
- Bishop of Helena serves as Co-President
- Campus Ministry Director & Chaplain: Father Tyler Frolich
- Sunday Mass during academic year: 7:00 p.m.
- Various weekday Masses during academic year
- Address: 1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena, MT 59625-0002
- Phone: 406-447-4869; [email protected]
Vocations & Seminarians
The Office of Vocations, directed by Father Christopher Lebsock, assists men discerning diocesan priesthood. The diocese reports 12 seminarians currently in formation; seminarians typically attend a theological seminary for five years (four years of classes plus one pastoral year). The diocese also partners with religious orders to assist men and women discerning religious life. The Cathedral's daily Rosary for Vocations (Monday–Friday after 7:00 a.m. Mass, Saturday 8:30 a.m.) and monthly Tuesday-evening Adoration specifically support vocations.
- Director of Vocations: Father Christopher Lebsock, P.O. Box 1110, East Helena, MT 59635, 406-227-5334
- 12 seminarians in formation for the Diocese of Helena
- Formation typically 5–7 years after college (philosophy + theology + pastoral year)
- Daily Rosary for Vocations at the Cathedral
Permanent Diaconate
The Permanent Diaconate program is a key part of ministry in the diocese. The diocese currently counts 34 permanent deacons: 19 active and 16 senior-status. Deacons serve in parishes throughout the deaneries and assist at liturgies, with marriages, baptisms, and outreach to the sick and homebound.
Tribunal Office
The Tribunal is a shared ministry of the two Montana dioceses (Helena and Great Falls-Billings). It applies Church marriage law with compassion for those who have experienced divorce, handling declarations of invalidity (annulments) and other marriage cases. Information submitted to the Tribunal is held in strict confidence; only the parties, their advocates, and necessary Tribunal members have access to testimony.
- Judicial Vicar: Father Samuel Spiering, J.C.L. — 406-727-6683 ext. 136
- Director of Marriage Tribunal: Terri Reavley — 406-727-6683 ext. 127
- Tribunal Administrative Assistant: Loretta St. Germain — 406-727-6683 ext. 111
- Shared ministry with the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
Resources & Center for Catholic Life
The Center for Catholic Life, located at the Chancery, is a collaborative space that houses the diocesan offices and ministries as well as Catholic organizations that maintain separate legal status. It enables distinct Catholic entities in Montana to share resources and increase efficiency in service to the Church and the people of the state.
- Foundation for the Diocese of Helena — endowments for every parish and mission
- Catholic Social Services of Montana — adoption, birth-mother support, parish-based pregnancy and infant care (joint ministry with Great Falls-Billings, serving Montana families for over 50 years)
- Montana Catholic Conference — public-policy voice of Montana's two Catholic bishops
- Chancery Offices: Bishop's Office, Vocations, Tribunal, Catholic Schools, Youth, Family Life/Pro-Life, Safe Environment, Formation
Coat of Arms
The diocesan coat of arms was designed and adopted at the diocese's erection in 1884. The shield displays a chevronny of eight argent (silver) and green — the silver and green chevrons representing the mountain peaks of Montana — with a long cross enfiling in fess an open crown or. The cross and crown together are the heraldic symbol of St. Helena, Empress and mother of Constantine the Great, the titular patroness of the cathedral and see.
